Washington looks ahead to Peterborough return

CONOR Washington is looking forward to returning to his old stomping ground for the first time this weekend when QPR take on Peterborough United at the ABAX Stadium.

Washington, 25, joined the R’s in January 2016 after cutting his teeth in the professional game at Posh, and he admits he owes a lot to the League One side.

“I’m looking forward to going back,” he told www.qpr.co.uk. “It will be good to see some of the old faces and to play at the stadium where I made my name.

“I have huge gratitude towards Peterborough for giving me my chance. My mum still lives relatively local, and I still know a lot of the lads there, as well as the gaffer.

“It’s a great club and very well run by the owner (Darragh MacAnthony) who is a good guy.

“He wants to do the best for the club and I wish them every success.”

Washington spent two years with Peterborough, scoring 33 goals in 94 appearances before QPR came calling.

During his time there, the striker played in the same side as Grant McCann, who has gone on to become their manager. And Washington only has good things to say about his former team-mate.

“I played with him in the first six months I was there and he is a great guy,” Washington said. “He was a great player and is doing really well as a manager, which doesn’t surprise anyone.”

As Washington gets himself ready for the 2017/18 campaign with the R’s, he hopes a nice rest – which included a marriage! – followed by a full pre-season will stand him in good stead.

“I had a good break, got married and went on honeymoon so it was an enjoyable summer,” he said.

“Fitness-wise I feel really good. With the Euros, I didn’t really get a full pre-season last year so it’s been nice to be back in from day one, and I’m feeling really fit and strong for it.

“Last season, I joined up with the lads two or three weeks after they had returned, and I only had about half-an-hour of football before the opening game against Leeds rolled around.

“It’s much better to go into the season feeling fully refreshed, fit and raring to go.”

Having scored a brace in our 4-0 win over Bromley, and getting another in our 2-1 defeat to Reading, Washington has wasted little time in finding his scoring boots during pre-season, and he is keen for that trend to continue between now and the season opener against the Royals on 5th August.

“It’s important to get in the right habits, and scoring goals is the habit I want to continue throughout the season,” he said.

“This year I want to cement a place in the first team and prove to everyone what I can do.”

It will be good to see some of the old faces and to play at the stadium where I made my name.